Orpheum's 36th Annual Auction Set for Today

The 36th Annual Auction, the Orpheum Theatre's largest and most anticipated fundraising event of the year will take place tonight, November 8th at 6:30 PM. This event will allow guests to support the Orpheum Centre for Performing Arts & Education in the most enjoyable way: alongside an average of 800 guests with over 400 auction items, heavy hors d'oeuvres buffets, and an open bar.

"The Orpheum Centre is going to serve the Mid-South community, and we want that community to get involved by joining us for our Auction celebration," said Orpheum President and CEO Pat Halloran. "We are closing in on our goal of $14.5 million, but there's still work to be done, and the proceeds from this event play a meaningful role in our fundraising strategy."

To date the Memphis Development Foundation (MDF), which operates the Orpheum Theatre, has raised over $12.3 million for the Orpheum Centre for Performing Arts & Education. Expected to open in the summer of 2015, the Orpheum Centre is the largest capital project in MDF history. The building will add significant economic and aesthetic value to Downtown Memphis, enhance the Orpheum's position as a leader in the performing arts and a well respected national venue, and allow the Orpheum to expand its Education programs and community services to be enjoyed and revered by all ages for generations to come.

The 36th Annual Auction will begin with an online auction, opening Monday, October 20th at auction.orpheum-memphis.com, and will culminate on Saturday, November 8 at 6:30 PM with a silent and live auction. Some of the exciting items in this year's auction include a 2015 Nissan Rogue, a New York City Broadway trip, and tickets to the Charlotte Memorial Day Nascar Race.

In addition to the auction festivities, the Orpheum will host a live drawing for its Annual Raffle on the night of the event: a classic 1969 Ford Mustang Convertible. Raffle tickets are $100 per entry, and are available for purchase now through the drawing on the night of the Auction. Entrants do not have to be present to win. For a complete list of Raffle rules and regulations, please visit http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/events/detail/2014-orpheum-raffle.

The Orpheum's 36th Annual Auction is made possible by its Presenting Sponsors: Kroger Delta Division, Sedgwick, and Southland Park Gaming & Racing. The Online Auction Presenting Sponsor is FedEx.

Additional Auction sponsors include the following: Armstrong Relocation; Anonymous; The Glassman Family; Dr. and Mrs. Michael Heck; Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance; Keri and Doug Gage; Allison and Chumney, CPAs; CB Richard Ellis Memphis; Carol and Scott Hennessy; Crye-Leike, Inc.; Gina and Jim Wiertelak; Karen Fields Isaacman and Ken Isaacman; KML and Family; Wolff Ardis, P.C.; The Landers Firm; AEO; American Home Shield; Peggy and William Gann; The Mustang Fund; Renasant Bank; Robin and Billy Orgel; Southeastern Coatings; Steve and Lura Turner; Victory Bicycle Studio, and Sterling Building Specialists.

Admission to the 36th Annual Auction is $125 per person. Tickets for both the Auction and the Raffle are on sale now and available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), and the ticket counter at the Booksellers at Laurelwood. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Orpheum is currently accepting donations for its silent, live, and online auctions as well as Auction sponsorships. Those interested in making a donation are encouraged to contact Development Director Michelle Heck at heck@orpheum-memphis.com or 901.529.4280.